Unit: Human Impact on the Environment High School Biology
My CT mentioned that one subject that needs to be addressed further, when they make the switch to NGSS standards from state standards, is human impact on the environment. Ecology is a subject that is taught in the spring and a unit on human impact would be appropriate after studying ecosystems, evolution, natural selection and the effects of natural environmental changes to populations. This topic aligns with NGSS HS-LS4-5. The main Topic would be “Human Impact on the Environment” with subtopics of: loss of habitat, overfishing/hunting, pollution, reliance on monocultures, and the introduction of invasive species.
We could introduce the unit with something like Michael Jackson’s Earth Song (http://www.michael.jackson.com/us/earth-song-video). Within each subtopic students can engage in the science practices which include using data, evaluating evidence, making correlations, forming hypothesis, asking questions and communicating findings. Students can use interactive technology (from sites such as National Geographic.com, GCSE Bitesize, and Netlogo) to model effects of human population growth, deforestation ect. It would be interesting to involve local organizations such as Save the Bay to discuss changes in our area ecology due to human impact and how we are trying to restore equilibrium. There may be laboratory experiments to examine the effects of over fertilization (maybe in a closed aquatic bottle system). There are many articles that can be evaluated about the impact of invasive species which could also improve science literacy. There could be a cumulative project where students can chose from list of ways to communicate an effect of human impact that interested them and how they, as citizens, can be involved in a possible solution. The choices could be things like a video, power point to educate peers, an illustrated children’s book, a poster presentation and other methods.
EDC 430
Deborah Husak
10-5-13
Unit: Human Impact on the Environment
High School Biology
My CT mentioned that one subject that needs to be addressed further, when they make the switch to NGSS standards from state standards, is human impact on the environment. Ecology is a subject that is taught in the spring and a unit on human impact would be appropriate after studying ecosystems, evolution, natural selection and the effects of natural environmental changes to populations. This topic aligns with NGSS HS-LS4-5. The main Topic would be “Human Impact on the Environment” with subtopics of: loss of habitat, overfishing/hunting, pollution, reliance on monocultures, and the introduction of invasive species.
We could introduce the unit with something like Michael Jackson’s Earth Song (http://www.michael.jackson.com/us/earth-song-video). Within each subtopic students can engage in the science practices which include using data, evaluating evidence, making correlations, forming hypothesis, asking questions and communicating findings. Students can use interactive technology (from sites such as National Geographic.com, GCSE Bitesize, and Netlogo) to model effects of human population growth, deforestation ect. It would be interesting to involve local organizations such as Save the Bay to discuss changes in our area ecology due to human impact and how we are trying to restore equilibrium. There may be laboratory experiments to examine the effects of over fertilization (maybe in a closed aquatic bottle system). There are many articles that can be evaluated about the impact of invasive species which could also improve science literacy. There could be a cumulative project where students can chose from list of ways to communicate an effect of human impact that interested them and how they, as citizens, can be involved in a possible solution. The choices could be things like a video, power point to educate peers, an illustrated children’s book, a poster presentation and other methods.